The Verge:
Unlike many automakers that offer Apple CarPlay in their new cars, BMW makes you pay for it on all of their models. That’s unlikely to change, but it may soon cut a break to those who don’t use iOS or don’t like Apple’s smartphone integration system for the car.
The automaker next year will turn CarPlay into a subscription-based service rather than treating it as a one-time option, Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America, told The Verge at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show on Tuesday.
This is an interesting decision by BMW. Their logic seems solid but many people are unhappy about the subscription. I’ll never buy a BMW so I don’t have a dog in this hunt but if successful, you can bet this will move downmarket to other manufacturers.
UPDATE: I just saw this tweet:
On BMW subscription fee for CarPlay: @bmwcanada says it’s in response to Apple changing fees. Apple charged automakers lump fee to offer CarPlay, per car, for life of car. Apple cancelled that, now charging automakers per car/per year to offer CarPlay.
This is a silly story. SiriusXM is installed on almost all new cars. It also requires a subscription. Three month trial subscription morph into a paid subscription.
The difference is that SXM experiences continuous costs which map best to a subscription pricing model. I’m not sure exactly how CarPlay is paid for by BMW, but my guess is that once the hardware is developed and sold, there are no additional time-based costs.
Disappointing, but not surprising from BMW. This is purely rent-seeking behavior – i.e. an attempt to extract wealth from its customers without a commensurate addition of value.
Surprised if Apple lets them charge for it on a subscription. BMW has to license it and if Apple doesn’t like this idea, BMW might lose the option for CarPlay.
I have to agree, unless it comes bundled with some app that allows extra functionality. I have a Volvo XC-60 and they have an app that is subscription based that allows you to track you vehicle, turn the ignition on remotely and check things like how much gas or miles you have on the vehicle plus other stuff. It also has an accident monitoring feature that alerts local authorities if the vehicle is involved in a collision. You can contact an operator in case of emergency. But I would not pay for just CarPlay, since I could get a Honda and it is built in with no extra costs.
It’s easy to view this as ridiculous, but what if data were included? That’d make this a pretty decent deal. (But it probably isn’t.)
This is not the same thing. You are paying for SirriusXM content, not the platform.
This is just more white privelgege.
I am surprised they is within the terms of service that Apple lays out. If it is, we deserve an explanation.
Otherwise, you can stick carpal up your butt, Apple.
“Their logic seems solid”
It doesn’t.
I didn’t say I agreed with it. Just that it made sense for them from them.
I really dislike carPlay. I haven’t found a way to disable it, but if I can disable it by not paying for it, great. 🙂
Disgusting. Just like when cable internet companies charge a monthly fee for “In home Wi-Fi service”.